Avenida da Liberdade

Avenida da Liberdade (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɐveˈniðɐ ðɐ liβɐɾˈðaðɯ]; meaning "Avenue of Liberty") is a boulevard in central Lisbon, Portugal.^[1] It was constructed between 1879 and 1886 and designed by the Portuguese engineer Frederico Ressano Garcia.^[2] Measuring 90 metres in width, the avenue was modeled after Paris's Champs-Élysées^[3] and is a centre for luxury retail establishments.^[4]

Avenida da Liberdade

View of Avenida da Liberdade from Marquis of Pombal Square to the Tagus River.
Interactive map of Avenida da Liberdade
Length	1,100 m (3,600 ft)
Width	90 m (300 ft)
Construction
Completion	1886
Demolition/Conversion of the Passeio Público	1879

The avenue was built on the former site of the Passeio Público, an 18th-century park originally designed for the exclusive use of Portuguese nobility. Despite its name (“Public Promenade”), the park was walled and gated until 1821, when King João VI ordered the removal of the walls, opening access to all social classes.^[5] Once located on the northern periphery of Lisbon, the park was transformed into a boulevard as the city expanded northward during the 19th century. ^[6] Avenida da Liberdade today hosts several embassies and diplomatic missions, including those of Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Slovakia.^[7][8][9]

The Avenida connects Marquis of Pombal Square to Restauradores Square, marking the entrance to Lisbon Baixa neighbourhood.^[10]

History

The Monument to World War I, in front of the Spanish embassy (right) and an apartment building (left).

The Avenida is lined with monuments to writers and musical composers, from Portugal and abroad.

Avenida da Liberdade and Restauradores Square trace their origins to the Passeio Público, a public park inaugurated in 1764. The park was designed under the direction of Pombaline architect Reinaldo Manuel.^[11] Originally enclosed by high walls and reserved for the nobility, the park was redesigned in 1835 by architect Malaquias Ferreira Leal, who introduced fountains, waterfalls, and allegorical statues representing the Tagus and Douro rivers.^[12][13] Since the 19th-century renovations, these statues have remained in the boulevard of Avenida da Liberdade. Over time, additional monuments were installed, including tributes to writers Almeida Garrett and Alexandre Herculano.^[14]

The Monument to the Fallen of the Great War, inaugurated on 22 November 1931, was designed by architects Guilherme Rebelo de Andrade and Carlos Rebello de Andrade, with sculptures created by Maximiano Alves. ^[15]

The avenue itself was constructed between 1879 and 1886 under the supervision of Frederico Ressano Garcia, chief engineer of the Lisbon City Council.^[16] It was designed to resemble the grand Parisian boulevards, particularly the Champs-Élysées, as part of the city’s planned northward expansion.^[17] Plans were proposed to extend the avenue further north through what is now the central lawn of Eduardo VII Park, but these were never realized.^[18][19]

Since the mid-20th century, many original buildings along the avenue have been demolished and replaced by modern office buildings and hotels.^[20][21] One notable example is the former Barata Salgueiro Palace, inaugurated in 1902 and demolished in 1970 to make way for a bank headquarters.^[22]

Commercial profile

Prada's boutique on the Avenida.

The Cartier flagship store on the Avenida.

Avenida da Liberdade’s central location and proximity to notable landmarks such as the Chiado district, Marquis of Pombal Square, Queen Maria II National Theatre, Avenidas Novas, Eduardo VII Park, and the Lisbon Baixa have significantly contributed to its commercial development.^[23][24]

Since the early 2000s, the avenue has evolved into one of Lisbon’s luxury shopping destinations. Louis Vuitton opened the first international luxury boutique there in 2004, followed by Prada and Gucci in 2008.^[25] Today, Avenida da Liberdade features flagship stores from global brands such as Gucci, Christian Dior, Cartier, and Burberry,^[26] alongside several luxury hotels and upscale cafés.^[27][28][29]

Transportation

The Avenida serves as a major transport artery in central Lisbon, connecting the districts of Avenidas Novas, Lisbon Baixa, Chiado, Bairro Alto, and other neighbouring areas. ^[30]

There are three Lisbon Metro stations located along Avenida da Liberdade:^[31]

• Restauradores, at the southeast end beneath Restauradores Square, served by the Blue Line.
• Avenida, near the midpoint of the avenue, also served by the Blue Line.
• Marquês de Pombal , at the northwest end beneath Marquis of Pombal Square, served by both the Blue and Yellow Lines.^[32]

Since 2022, automobile traffic has been prohibited on Avenida da Liberdade on Sundays and public holidays.^[33] to promote pedestrian use and sustainability initiatives.^[34]

Gallery

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  Hotel Heritage
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  Monument to António Feliciano de Castilho
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  Luxury hotel
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  Monument to World War I
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  Monument to Alexandre Herculano